No pressure on the Black Stars

Ghana bid to become the first African team to beat or even score against Brazil at the World Cup when they face the holders in Tuesday’s second round match.

Ghana bid to become the first African team to beat or even score against Brazil at the World Cup when they face the holders in Tuesday’s second round match.

Ghana are the continent’s only survivors in the tournament and are determined to give a good account of themselves. “I think it’s a dream come true to play against Brazil in the World Cup,” said midfielder Derek Boateng.

“We can’t ask for anything more than that,” Boateng said. “We are not going to say that we are going to beat them,” he said. “We are just going to give a good performance. It’s very important for us and the whole of Africa.”

Although they have won the African Nations Cup four times, the Black Stars are playing at the World Cup for the first time. After losing their opener 2-0 to Italy, Ghana battled their way into the last sixteen by beating the Czech Republic and the United States.

Brazil have played four matches against African opposition at the World Cup and won them all without conceding a goal. They beat Zaire (1974), Algeria (1986), Cameroon (1994) and Morocco (1998).

Match officials:

Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia), Linesmen: Roman Slysko (Slovakia), Martin Balko (Slovakia), Fourth Official: Mark Shield (Australia), Stand-by: Nathan Gibson (Australia).

Brian Homewood